Filmmaker's 'New York Doll' is more than a 'rockumentary'

Greg Whiteley says his film "New York Doll" has already been a success — even though it's only been playing theatrically for about a week in New York and Los Angeles.

The movie is a documentary about the late Arthur "Killer" Kane, the former bass guitarist for the glam-punk act New York Dolls who converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"New York Doll" was a big hit at this year's Sundance Film Festival, where screenings of the film sold out quickly. Whiteley said he was "blown away" by the reaction "Doll" got at the festival.

"I wasn't even sure my movie was going to get into Sundance," Whiteley said by phone from his Los Angeles home, "and the next thing I know people are telling me it was their favorite thing they saw there. It was completely crazy."

In fact, even months later, the film still has "legs." Whiteley he has been besieged with with e-mails from fans who have seen the movie. (He says it may have been a mistake to include his personal e-mail address on the official Web site, www.newyorkdollmovie.com.)

"New York Doll" opened to strong critical reviews and several sold-out screenings this past weekend in New York and Los Angeles; the film opens locally today. "It's been very encouraging so far, and there's no telling when or where this whole roller coaster ride is going to end."

Whiteley, who graduated from Brigham Young University in 1995, met Kane when he became his home teacher (someone assigned to make monthly visits to specific LDS neighbors). Whiteley was surprised to find that the mild-mannered, somewhat shy Kane had at one time been "a cross-dressing, glue-sniffing glam-rocker."

But realizing a prime opportunity when he sees one, Whiteley began filming interviews with Kane about his experiences as a musician, as well as his conversion to the LDS Church.

And when Kane reunited with the group's other two surviving members (singer David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain) for a set of Dolls' songs at the 2004 Meltdown Music Festival, Whiteley knew he was on to something special.

"Things kept happening that told me someone or something wanted this story to be told — ridiculous kinds of things," he said. "Seriously, you couldn't possibly come up with anything crazier than this."

Speaking of craziness, as Sundance wound down in January, Whiteley found himself courted by several would-be distributors for the movie, including the fledgling First Independent Pictures. "We were being wined and dined, though I was ready to make the deal after the first meal."